Cap for steam radiator valves



Sept. 10, 1935. G. w. TAYLOR V 2,014,153

- .CAP FOR STEAM RADIATOR VALVES Filed June 15, 1931 W/MZWEM Fla: la; 6.

lnuen a W Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My present invention relates to devices for use in steam heatingsystems, and more particularly to a novel and improved cap for the airvalves of steam radiators.

It is a well known fact that when the ordinary air valves are used on asteam radiator, as the steam is built up, it will force the cold air outthrough these air valves. As long as the pressure is maintained theradiators will retain the heat, but as soon as the pressure on the steamis reduced, as by checking the fire, air starts to re-enter theradiator. This entrance of the air into the radiator rapidly cools thesame, and prevents proper heat radiation therefrom.

The radiator will not again be heated until the steam pressure has beenagain built up and forced to the radiators, again exhausting the coldair therefrom. This constant reheating of the steam radiators results inthe burning of considerable fuel, greatly increasing the cost ofmaintenance of a steam heating system,

There are in use radiator valves which permit the exhaustion of the coldair from the radiator, and preventing the re-entering of such air, butthese valves are costly and mechanically complicated.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, resides in theprovision of a cap for the ordinary air valves of a steam radiator, saidcap being simple in the extreme to manufacture and install, inexpensive,and yet rugged and efficient to a high degree.

My novel cap is composed of elastic material, such as rubber, and inorder to install the same it is only necessary to press the cap onto theair valve of a steam radiator. This may be done whether the radiator ishot or cold, and each cap can be installed in a moments time.

My novel cap is constructed and arranged to permit the exhaustion of airfrom the radiator upon the raising of steam pressure to but a slightdegree, and instantaneously ;operable, on the slightest decrease of saidpressure, to prevent the re-entry of air into the said radiator. Thus, asteam heating system wherein the air valves of the radiators thereof areequipped with my novel caps is converted into a vacuum or vapor systemat a trifling cost and minimum of effort.

Other objects and features of the present invention reside in theparticular construction and arrangement of my novel cap, and all of theabove, together with other objects and features, details ofconstruction, combinations of parts, and advantages, will be hereinaftermore fully pointed out, described and claimed.

Referring to the drawing, illustrating preferred embodiments of thepresent invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my novel cap;

Fig, 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 3; 5

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view on the linev 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of said cap;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional elevation illustrating my novel capapplied to one type of air valve; 10 Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional viewillustrating the application of my novel cap to a different type andsize of valve; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional View of the upper section of mynovel cap with a modified 15 type. of valve therein.

Referring now to the drawing, for a particular description of theinvention, its construction and application, I designates the body of mynovel cap, which is tubular, and hollow, and is pro- 20 vided with ahead 2. Below the upper end of the cap, I provide walls of varyingthicknesses, providing internal varying diameters, as illustrated at 3and 5, these internal diameters being defined by the shoulder 4. 25

Formed in the thickened end of the cap are a plurality of longitudinalrecesses 6, and adjacent to the closed end of said cap I provide a lineof cut 1, preferably circular, as illustrated herein, said line of cuttraversing one or more of said recesses 6. The line of cut 1 thusprovides communication between the interior of the cap and the outerair, when the flap I1 is raised. The cap being formed of rubber, and thekerf I projecting inwardly, provides an arcuate edge I8, terminating atthe points I 9, and thus increases the tendency of the flap I I toremain in the normal position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated my novel cap applied to two widelyvarying types and sizes of air valves 8 and II, these two valves 8 and II representing the range of sizes of present day air valves for steamradiator use. The valve 8 is provided with a body portion 9 and ribsIf], the body portion 9 being relatively narrow. The valve I I isprovided with a body portion I2 of considerable width.

The internal diameter 5 is less than the diameter of the smallest typeof valve to which my novel cap will be applied. Thus, when applied to avalve of the type illustrated at 8, the flexibility and elasticity ofthe cap Will permit the same to be slid or forced over the valve 8 untilthe thickened wall surrounding the interior chamber 5 is expanded aboutthe upper end of the body 9, the

wall surrounding the interior chamber 3 being expanded by the ribs I andproviding further retention on the valve 8.

When applied to the valve II, the thickened wall adjacent to theinterior chamber 5 will exert a restrictive force upon the lower wallsurrounding the chamber 3, giving an added retention and grip to saidlatter wall about the body I2.

The operation of my novel cap is identical regardless of the type ofvalve to which it is applied. Assuming that either the valve 8 or valveII is mounted on a steam radiator, and my novel cap I is attachedthereto, and that steam pressure is being built up within said radiator,said pressure will exhaust the air from said radiator, driving the samethrough the valve 8 or I I and outwardly through the recesses 6 and kerfI, the pressure on said air being sufficient to raise the flap I! topermit this exhaustion of the air.

Immediately upon any reduction of the pressure within the radiator,however, the flap I! will return to its normal position, sealing therecesses 6, preventing the return or re-entry of air into the radiator,and thus sealing the heat within the radiator, resulting in aconsiderable saving in fuel, less frequent operation of the heatingunit, and a considerable saving in time and money.

The advantages and benefits of my novel cap will be instantly apparentto and understood by those skilled in this art, as well as tohouseholders whose steam radiators are equipped with the ordinary airoutlet valve.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a modified form of valve outlet, whereinthe head of the cap 2| is provided with a port 22 and a seat 23.Normally positioned on the seat 23 is a tack valve 26, which may be ofrubber or any desirable material. A pin 25 is held in the upper open endof the head 20, in the recess 26, and a cap 21 is securely fixed to saidhead.

Said cap 21 is provided with one or more outer vents 28. Thus, when theair is driven out of the radiator valve, it will raise the tack valve24, the pin 25 limiting vertical movement of said valve 24, and the airwill be exhausted around said valve 24 and out through the vents 28.Immediately upon any reduction of the pressure within the radiator, thetack valve 24 will return to normal position, sealing the port 22. Ineach instance, the flap I l and valve 24 will be held on their seats bythe suction created within the radiator on reduction of pressure, thusstill further sealing the radiators and insuring against the re-entry ofair therein.

It will be understood and appreciated that in place of the tack valve 24I may utilize other types of easily opening and closing valves, and thatthe same are within the range of the present invention.

I believe that the cap illustrated and described herein is novel andhave, therefore, claimed the same broadly in this application.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat indetail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape, andarrangement of parts within reasonably wide limits, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims asfollows:

1. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, comprising a cylindricalbody of elastic material open at one end and having a hollow interior, apassage projecting from said interior into the closed end of saidcylinder, and a normally closed arcuate kerf communicating with saidpassage and with the outer air.

2. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, comprising a cylindricalbody of elastic material open at one end and provided with walls ofvarying thickness forming interior chambers of varying 1 diameters, atleast one of said chambers being of less diameter than the diameter ofthe valve to which said cap is to be applied, and normally closed ventmeans adjacent to the closed end of said cylinder. 2

3. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, comprising a cylindricalbody of elastic material open at one end and provided with walls ofvarying thickness forming interior chambers of varying diameters, atleast one of said chambers being of 2;

less diameter than the diameter of the valve to which said cap is to beapplied, a valve seat in the closed end of said cap, and a valvenormally seated thereon.

4. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, com- 3 prising a cylindricalbody of elastic material open at one end and provided with walls ofvarying thickness forming interior chambers of varying diameters, atleast one of said chambers being of less diameter than the diameter ofthe valve to which said cap is to be applied, a valve seat in the closedend of said cap, a valve normally seated thereon, and means to limit themovement of said valve from its seat.

5. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, com prising a cylindricalbody of elastic material open at one end and having walls of varyingthickness forming interior chambers of varying diameters, at least oneof said chambers being of less diameter than the diameter of the valveto which said cap is to be applied, a head at the closed end of saidcylinder, and normally closed vent means in said head to permit theescape of air under pressure from the interior of said cap and toprevent the ingress of air thereto.

6. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, comprising a cylindricalbody of elastic material open at one end and having walls of varyingthickness forming interior chambers of varying diameters,

at least one of said chambers being of less diamkerf and the interior ofsaid cylinder. 6.

GEORGE W. TAYLOR.

